Have you ever watched a movie and then felt inspired to visit the places you saw on the film? The Reel Miami Project is an original short film series designed to inspire you to visit the Magic City. The series is comprised of six short films featuring a different location while telling the story of a “weekend in Miami.” Each film is directed by an aspiring, award-winning filmmaker and the films’ plots are told through talented, emerging actors. (For example, the lead actress in the Miami Beach film recently co-starred in a Tim Burton film). Accompanying each film is a collection of webisodes. The webisodes give you an in-depth look into the locations and highlight different hotspots, establishments, and brands. The Miami Beach film tells the story of Mason (Eric Aragon) and Kassandra (Elisabetta Fantone), a couple that picks up the wrong suitcase upon arriving in Miami for a weekend vacation. This sparks a high societal adventure that brings them to hotspot destinations in Miami Beach including The Bazaar, Hyde Beach, the New World Symphony, and SLS Hotel. Watch it for yourself: About The Reel Miami Project Created by Frank Kelly, the film series showcases Miami, neighborhood by neighborhood, while giving you the chance discover more about each neighborhood via the "Reel Concierge" tool. You'll get access to discounted hotel packages designed exclusively for Reel Miami fans, allowing you to replicate the experience you see in the films. “I wanted to take our viewers beyond just watching these moving films and move them to action and adventure. This allows an engaging platform to promote destinations and it’s also a platform for these talented directors and actors to be discovered,” said Frank Kelly, Creator and Executive Producer of Reel City Films. For more information, please visit reelmiamiproject.com or Facebook: www.facebook.com/reelmiamiproject and Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReelMiami Text and images courtesy of Visitflorida.com, Florida's official tourism non-for-profit corporation. It is the official source for travel planning to visitors across the world.

Tacombi is a New York City-based Mexican restaurant that is expanding to the Miami area this Fall. Their upcoming openings will be in the tourist-centered Design District and Miami Beach, which will be an incredible new venture for the taqueria. As they make their way to the city of Miami, Miami Living Magazine is excited to welcome them to sunny South Florida. What first began on the beaches of the Yutucan, serving tacos out of a 1963 VW Kombi bus in Mexico City is now making its way to the popular city of Miami, Florida. Tacombi got its footing back in 2005 when they started serving tacos to the local community. “These dishes are inspired by authentic Mexican taco culture from neighboring taquerias.” Their most popular menu items are shared on their social accounts and are highlighted by the most elite food critics to date but this took a dream, a dedicated team, and a goal. As the truck started gaining street credit they decided to take the next step and open 2 locations in Playa del Carmen, a major tourist attraction for foreigners alike. Fast forward a few years, Tacombi made its mark on what we like to call the “Big Apple” or New York City. Soon after their launch, what began as a truck on a street corner quickly turned into the Tacombi Flagship restaurant, Tacombi Nolita. Thereafter, Tacombi opened a few more locations across the state. With the new space, they were able to expand the brand, share their story and open two new locations in Miami, Florida. For more information, please visit https://tacombi.com/. Connect with Tacombi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacombi/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/tacombi By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Tacombi

Located in Miami Beach’s affluent South of Fifth neighborhood, Kosushi is known for its authentic yet contemporary take on traditional Japanese cuisine created by Michelin Star Award-Winning Chef George Koshoji. From São Paulo, Brazil to the heart of the South Pointe neighborhood, Kosushi Miami marks the first international location for the Brazilian brand. In Japanese, ko means turtle as well as the excellence of number one, which is a good omen for the symbol of happiness and longevity. For the past 30 years, Kosushi has offered visitors a unique culinary experience by blending tradition with distinctive techniques and bold flavors, earning the restaurant a Michelin Star in Brazil for the past five years. In Miami, Kosushi has tapped Executive Chef Shoyo Iida to lead its first international location, where guests enjoy traditional Kosushi dishes alongside exclusive Asian fusion dishes created for the Miami location. The curated core menu, artfully designed by Chef Iida and his team, shines a spotlight on a variety of sushi and sashimi as well as hot and cold dishes, signature selections, and maki specials. Guests can also imbibe on a carefully crafted selection of cocktails incorporating Japanese spirits as well as a sophisticated sake menu and rare Japanese whiskey collection that all pair perfectly with Kosushi Miami’s fare. Known for its freshness and high-quality ingredients combined with innovative creations, Kosushi Miami is launching a new weekly activation, Casa do Omakase on Wednesdays, as well as takeout offerings. "At Kosushi Miami, we combine traditional Japanese dishes with contemporary techniques and Brazilian flavors, and what ties it all together is the integrity of the food," Chef Shoyo Iida said. "The Miami community has embraced our appreciation for the precision of cut, our unique spices, and the personalized service and experiences we provide our clientele.” Every Wednesday, Kosushi Miami will host Casa do Omakase from 6PM to 12AM. This weekly omakase night is an entire restaurant dining experience in Kaiseki style, a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner, where guests will enjoy a combination of dishes from Kosushi’s Michelin Starred Hot Kitchen and Sushi Bar menus. Guests will have the option of ordering either a 7 or 12-course Kaiseki tasting menu featuring a rotating selection of some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. The Samurai Omakase ($95), is a delectable 7-course meal combining favorite hot kitchen and sushi bar selections; while the Ko Omakase ($145), is an indulgent 12-course tasting featuring the best of the best, including Bluefin O-Toro and Kobe Beef. Omakase aficionados can upgrade their chef-driven experience with beverage pairings featuring Japanese spirits, sake, and Japanese micro Brews including the Samurai Beverage Pairing ($45), with Japanese micro-brewed beer, wine, and sake; or the Ko Omakase Beverage Pairing ($55), with Japanese whiskey, Japanese micro-brewed beer, wine, and sake. Additional Japanese libation specials include sake options such as SOTO Junmai Daiginjo 300ml ($35), Haktusuru Daiginjo 720ml ($65), and JOTO Junmai 1800ml ($125); and Japanese beer such as Hitachino Weekly Special ($8) and Hitachino White Ale 24oz. ($18). Japanese whiskey fans can imbibe in any of Kosushi’s 10 different quality offerings ranging from $9-$28, including Teitessa Single Grain 30yrs. ($28), Suntory Yamazaki 12yrs. ($24), Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt ($14), and more. Sushi lovers who are looking to enjoy Kosushi at home can take advantage of the restaurant’s new takeout offerings. Available beginning at 5PM Tuesday through Sunday, guests can call in their order directly to the restaurant at 786.647.7272 for pickup. Takeout dishes include all of the Kosushi classics including hot and cold dishes such as Miso Seabass Skewers ($15), dem miso-marinated sea bass; Scallop Black Salt ($18), lemon infused oil, black salt; and King Crab Truffle ($38), truffle infused butter, pink salt; as well as signature sushi by the piece including Toro Foie ($18), foie gras, orange eel sauce; Dyo Ikura ($9), salmon, torched quail egg, ikura and truffle oil; Unagi Avo ($7), eel, avocado, masago and crispy seaweed; and Hamachi Garlic ($7), yellowtail, yuzu soy, ginger, scallions, red pepper and garlic chip. Those looking to indulge in take out can also order some of Kosushi’s maki specialty dishes including Toro ($24), pickled daikon radish, japanese herb; Shrimp Tempura ($12), cucumber, avocado and spicy creamy sauce; and the Kosushi King ($22), king crab, avocado and cucumber topped with tuna, yellowtail and salmon sashimi with yuzu soy, a hint of sesame oil, ginger, chives and sesame seeds. Kosushi strikes a delicate balance between elevated food, intimate ambience and impeccable service all combined in a sophisticated, one-of-a-kind dining room. The restaurant’s thoughtfully designed interior was conceived by award-winning Brazilian architect Arthur Casas, whose imaginative, honeycomb-like wood structure dances across the ceiling and interior walls. Inspired by Japanese carpentry, specifically the art of joinery where wooden structures are created without the use of glue or metal supports, this impressive, hand-built structure is a piece of fine art. Adding to the visual balance and harmony is the organic shape of the sushi bar anchored in the center of the dining room as an integral focal point. Guests are welcome to take a seat at the sushi bar where they can watch the magic happen as Chef Iida and his team prepare Kosushi’s signature sushi dishes. Kosushi Miami’s overall design provides guests with a complete sensory experience rooted in Japanese culture, gastronomy and architecture, combined with a Brazilian touch through the furniture, fabric combinations and finishes. Kosushi Miami is open Sundays from 12PM to 10PM and Tuesdays through Saturdays from 6PM to 12AM. Take-out is also available during daily operational hours for pick up and delivery through GrubHub and UberEats. For more information, visit www.kosushimiami.com or follow @kosushi_miami on Instagram. More on Kosushi In 1988, the businessman Carlos Augusto Carvalho and the talented sushiman George Koshoji, opened the doors of Kosushi in the Ipiranga neighborhood of São Paulo. Isolated from the few traditional Japanese restaurants that until then were concentrated in the Liberdade district, Kosushi soon fell into the taste of demanding food lovers, for the freshness and high-quality of its ingredients always combined with innovative creations. Throughout its 30 years of existence, Kosushi has established itself in the Itaim Bibi neighborhood, opened a new unit in Shopping Cidade Jardim and has won one of the most coveted stars in the world, Michelin Guide. Now Kosushi has embarked on a new journey with the opening of the first international house in Miami, Florida. For more info, visit https://kosushimiami.com/ or follow @kosushi_miami. By ML Staff. Photo Credit: 52Chefs

Kuba Cabana, a lively dining concept where “Old World Cuba Meets Modern Miami” is hosting “Cocktails & Cabaret.” Located in the vibrant CityPlace Doral, the series of exhilarating evenings will take place on the last Thursday of every month. Each themed dinner show features a Las Vegas Style Cabaret with burlesque performers, live music including acclaimed singers, a 7-piece band and DJ, a premium open bar and an unforgettable prix fixe menu. The events are open to guests aged 21 and older. Guests to Enjoy a Las Vegas Style Cabaret, Live Music Including a 7-piece Band and DJ,a Premium Open Bar and a Prix Fixe Menu An energetic, culinary experience-based venue serving modern Latin-inspired cuisine, Kuba Cabana features unmistakable Cuban and Caribbean flair. This dining concept stems from the beautiful traditions of Latin and Caribbean music, cuisine and culture. Stunning, vibrant décor ranges from neon signs and tropical foliage to walls donned with Cuban-inspired art by local artists. The 3-course Latin-style menu, prepared by Kuba Cabana’s celebrated Corporate Chef Jorge Mas and Executive Chef Pedro E. Sarracino, will include: First course – select one from: · Kubiche – Cuban style corvina ceviche, cachucha pepper, crispy boniato · Ham or Chorizo croquetas, roasted garlic aioli · Beef Empanada, chimichurri mayo · Chicken Empanada, roasted yellow pepper mayo · Burrata & Papaya Salad, pesto, balsamic reduction Second course – select one from: · Havana Chicken – sour orange and garlic roasted half chicken, arroz moro, sweet plantains · Short Rib “Fricassee” – slow braised short rib, Tomato sofrito, Ají, Wine over a creamy boniato purée · Pescado a la Plancha – Grilled Branzino fillet, spiced butter, steamed vegetables, lemon · Arroz con Pollo “A la Chorrera” – Cuban style Chicken rice, charred corn, peas, chorizo dust, cerveza Third course – select one from · Chocoland · Timba · Arroz con Leche Kuba Cabana boasts 8,900-square-feet of dining and patio seating. The restaurant is in compliance with the best practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state and local health care officials, in an effort to serve as a place where guests feel comfortable venturing back into public and reconnecting with friends and family. All guests and employees are required to wear a facial covering, maintain the social distance of 6 feet between visitors and wash their hands in accordance with the CDC guidelines. Time: From 8–9 p.m., guests will enjoy a cocktail hour with a premium open bar. From 9:30–close, the main event seating will feature a 3-course Latin-style menu. All other beverages are available for an additional charge. All orders must be placed prior to the start of the show. Where: Kuba Cabana, 3450 NW 83rd Ave., Ste 140, Doral, FL 33122 Cost: $150/person + 21% gratuity + 7% tax Prime tables are available, and range from $750–$3,000, including bottle service (ranging per person and table size). All table reservations include a bottle of Toast™ vodka, a bottle of Prosecco, and a bottle of the guests’ choice. How: For inquiries and table reservations, contact Julie Montandon atevents@kubamiami.com or (305) 850-2425. Kuba’s main phone number is 305-800-KUBA (5822). For more information, please visit https://kubamiami.com/promo/orhttps://www.eventbrite.com/o/kuba-cabana-31814961635. Cancellation Policy: A $50 cancellation fee per person will occur if absent on the day of the event, 30 minutes after the reservation time. Parties that have less guests than reserved will still be charged the entire fee for the empty, reserved seats. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Kuba Cabana

Fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside and delicately flavored with bananas, these are phenomenal banana pancakes. Fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and delicately flavored with bananas and vanilla — these are phenomenal banana pancakes. The recipe, believe it or not, is adapted from a Williams Sonoma children’s cookbook, which only proves how easy they are to make. I love them with a simple drizzle of maple syrup but if you want to dress them up and hint at what’s inside, top them with fresh sliced bananas and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar. WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE BANANA PANCAKES HOW TO MAKE BANANA PANCAKES Begin by combining the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Whisk well and set aside. In a medium bowl, mash the banana until almost smooth. Add the eggs. Whisk with a fork to combine. Mix in the milk and vanilla extract. Pour the banana mixture and melted butter into the dry ingredients. Fold the batter with a rubber spatula. It will be thick and lumpy. Heat the vegetable oil with a pad of butter on a griddle or in a non-stick pan (the butter gives flavor and the vegetable oil prevents the butter from burning). Spoon the pancakes onto the griddle and cook until some bubbles appear on the top and the underside is golden brown and crisp. Flip the pancakes and cook a few minutes more. Top with maple syrup and fresh sliced bananas, if you like. Banana Pancakes By Jennifer Segal, adapted from Williams-Sonoma The Kid's Cookbook, by Abigail Johnson Dodge Fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside and delicately flavored with bananas, these are phenomenal banana pancakes. Servings: Makes twelve 4-inch pancakes Total Time: 20 Minutes INGREDIENTS FOR PANCAKES 1-1/2 cups all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled off 2 tablespoons sugar 2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 small, over-ripe banana, peeled (the browner, the better) 2 large eggs 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons low fat milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted FOR COOKING Vegetable oil Unsalted butter FOR SERVING Maple syrup Sliced bananas Confectioners' sugar (optional) INSTRUCTIONS In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, mash the banana with a fork until almost smooth. Whisk in the eggs, then add the milk and vanilla and whisk until well blended. Pour the banana mixture and the melted butter into the flour mixture. Fold the batter gently with a rubber spatula until just blended; do not over-mix. The batter will be thick and lumpy. Set a griddle or non-stick pan over medium heat until hot. Put a pad of butter and one tablespoon vegetable oil onto the griddle, and swirl it around. Drop the batter by 1/4-cupfuls onto the griddle, spacing the pancakes about 2 inches apart. Cook until a few holes form on top of each pancake and the underside is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip the pancakes and cook until the bottom is golden brown and the top is puffed, 1 to 2 minutes more. Using the spatula, transfer the pancakes to a serving plate. Wipe the griddle clean with paper towels, add more butter and oil, and repeat with the remaining batter. Serve the pancakes while still hot with maple syrup, sliced bananas and confectioners' sugar if desired. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The pancakes can be frozen for up to 3 months. After they are completely cooled, place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between each pancake and stack together. Wrap the stack of pancakes tightly in aluminum foil or place inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. To reheat, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and cover with foil. Bake in a 375°F oven for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until hot. NUTRITION INFO Serving size: 1 pancake (does not include maple syrup or toppings) Calories:121 Fat:4g Saturated fat:2g Carbohydrates:17g Sugar:4g Fiber:1g Protein:4g Sodium:146 mg Cholesterol:40 mg Special thanks to Jennifer Segal, for the recipe and images. You can support Jennifer by purchasing her cookbook, "Once Upon a Chef, the Cookbook," featuring over 100 delightful recipes.

In conjunction with the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA)'s exhibition, “Michael Richards: Are You Down?,” the museum honors late artist Michael Richards’ birthday with a special film screening and conversation. The virtual event will highlight Richards’ powerful sculpture and drawing practice, the circumstances of his passing on September 11, his friendships, and his enduring influence on cultural communities in New York City, Miami, and beyond. Documentary film co-directors Dennis Scholl and Juan Matos join artist Luis Gispert for a one-time screening of this 30-minute, work-in-progress documentary about Richards. A conversation, moderated by Donnamarie Baptiste, will follow. This is a unique opportunity to learn about Michael Richards through the eyes and testimonials of those who were closest to him. Gispert, who was friends with Richards and is interviewed in the film, offers us a more intimate look into his life, drawing us closer to his genius. The event will be streamed LIVE on YouTube. To watch live, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncBIboGrVHs. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of MOCA

SCOPE Art Show announces a partnership with NFT marketplace YellowHeart to become the first art fair to release NFT VIP tickets. SCOPE will return to its iconic location on the sands of Miami Beach, nestled among the iconic architecture of Ocean Drive at 8th Street. With stunning views of the ocean, SCOPE’s unparalleled curated selection of contemporary art will be presented alongside museum-quality installations, panel discussions, and nightlife events. SCOPE + YellowHeart will create the first-of-its-kind, NFT-minted, VIP tickets to commemorate SCOPE Art Show’s 20th anniversary. The tokens will feature unique editioned artwork tied to SCOPE’s New Contemporary Program, presenting emerging and celebrated artists alike that define our cultural landscape across a variety of creative disciplines. The limited-release tickets will go on sale September 9th on YellowHeart’s marketplace and will feature work from Swoon, Saype, Relm, Nychos, Diana Sinclair, ENTES, Logan Hicks, Kathie Olivas, and CTWF (Coloring The World Foundation). “In celebration of our 20th anniversary, SCOPE has partnered with digital marketplace YellowHeart to create a first of its kind Blockchain ticketing solution featuring a diverse curation of innovative NFT minted VIP tickets,'' said SCOPE Founder Alexis Hubshman. “This unique set of minted tickets will feature exclusive editioned artwork by emerging and celebrated artists including Coloring The World Foundation, a foundation inspired by the vision of Okuda San Miguel, who is the foundation’s honorary president and main ambassador. This partnership compliments SCOPE’s New Contemporary program, a program that stands as a critical contribution to both global politics and local community engagement while celebrating new and diverse voices in the arts.” "We're thrilled to partner with the iconic SCOPE Art Show to bring NFT tickets to the art community for the very first time, especially during SCOPE's historic 20th anniversary at Miami Art Week," said YellowHeart CEO and Founder Josh Katz. "Offering artists innovative ways to connect with their community, and being able to offer exclusive access to the impressive and diverse array of young artists being represented at SCOPE this year, is truly a joy for us. We're looking forward to celebrating SCOPE's incredible legacy later this year." SCOPE Miami Beach opens on November 30th, with its Platinum First View and VIP + Press Preview, and will open to the public December 1-5, 2021. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of SCOPE

Award-Winning Fort Lauderdale and Aspen PR Firm Durée & Company Launches NeuroWellness Division and Microsite Psychedelicpr.com to Serve the Expanding Psychedelics Space. Durée & Company, a Fort Lauderdale and Aspen full-service public relations, marketing and special events firm, is pleased to announce that it is servicing its new NeuroWellness practice with a new microsite! An addition to the firm’s original website DureeAndCompany.com, and its cannabis-focused website CannabisMarketingpr.com, the firm’s psychedelics-specific site Psychedelicpr.com is dedicated to the emerging psychedelics market, and is a comprehensive source of information for prospective and existing clients. Always at the forefront of new and emerging industries, Durée & Company launched the division in response to the firm’s growing list of clients in the psychedelics space. Psychedelics (also known as hallucinogens) are a class of psychoactive substances that produce changes in perception, mood and cognitive processes. According to market researcher Data Bridge, the psychedelic drugs market is projected to reach $6.85 billion by 2027. As companies seek to publicize scientific findings, solidify investment opportunities and educate consumers about the many benefits of psychedelics, Durée & Company has the expertise to serve as the communications partner for psychedelics clients, so no opportunity is left to chance. In the health and wellness marketplace, psychedelics are quickly gaining attention, from their proven results to treat the S.A.A.D. (suicide, anxiety, addiction and depression) epidemic, to the growing number of ketamine clinics in the U.S. Psychedelic drugs have now been recast as possible solutions to a range of mental health problems. With lucrative market potential, psilocybin, LSD, ketamine and other psychedelics have recently caught the attention of startups and investors. Scientists are revisiting hallucinogens, such as psilocybin and LSD, as possible therapeutics for depression, addiction, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. Durée & Company offers PR and marketing services for these newly regulated markets, including strategic public relations support, effective marketing, innovative branding, in-depth media outreach, and the development of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. “With our new Psychedelicpr.com microsite, we are pleased to provide valuable information about the booming psychedelicsindustry, such as FDA and DEA guidelines, scientific data, and more,” said Durée Ross, Durée & Company’s president and founder. “We understand how to navigate the growing NeuroWellness category, and proactively bring opportunities to our clients. With proven relationships with thought leaders, we’re an established presence in this rapidly expanding community. The firm’s proven psychedelic science, psychedelic-assisted therapy and psychedelic venture capital and private equity public relations outreach has placed clients in notable media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fox News, Green Entrepreneur, Page Six, VICE, and more. “The psychedelics industry, as it continues to evolve, has its own unique set of opportunities,” said Ross. “Our team understands the need for education and anticipatory thinking, and our philosophy is always to be proactive and help guide our clients.” Durée & Company stays current on policies and innovation within the psychedelics industry, and also has access to valuable resources. With its insider tips and proven relationships, the firm is constantly finding robust ways to position its clients as the first choice for new customers, partners and media. With a longstanding presence in the health and wellness, cannabis, lifestyle and business industries, Durée & Company has worked with some of the top psychedelics companies including Iter Investments, a venture capital firm that aims to deploy capital primarily in businesses operating in around the burgeoning psychedelics industry; Mr. Psychedelic Law, a non-profit organization focused on using medical and spiritual research to drive responsible legal reform in Florida for psilocybins and other entheogens; Mind Army, a social movement aimed at educating, lobbying and demanding for the legal use of psychedelics to treat mental health disorders, and others. Visit Durée & Company’s Psychedelicpr.com or call 954-723-9350 to find out more about how we can evaluate your goals, build the right press campaign, and deliver smart messaging right into the hands of media. Regardless of whether you’re an established or developing psychedelics company, we understand how to craft marketing messages in highly-regulated industries. To learn more, go to dureeandcompany.com; or visit its specialized cannabis site at cannabismarketingpr.com, or its new specialized psychedelics-specific site at psychedelicpr.com. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of D&C

Located in a landmark building, The Balfour Hotel celebrates its official opening with a story to tell just steps from the sparkling Atlantic Ocean on the corner of world-famous Ocean Drive and 4th Street in South Beach. The historic property, formerly known as The Lord Balfour Hotel, has acquired new ownership, and undergone a $4 million dollar renovation upgrading the hotel’s public spaces, lobby restaurant and 82 guest rooms and suites spread out over two, Art-Deco style buildings connected by an enchanting courtyard. Designed in 1940 by Anton Skislewicz, an important architect behind Miami Beach’s Art Deco history, The Balfour Hotel caters to design-conscious visitors with a unique style that has an undeniably timeless appeal. The hotel’s original outdoor moniker “Lord Balfour” remains illuminated in cerulean lights evocative of the ocean waves just steps away. The historic charm of its architectural pedigree has been preserved amidst essential renovations delivering the modern-day comforts and technology travelers have become accustomed to. Miami’s Latin influence is also celebrated through subtle and thoughtful design details such as Colombian-style fedora hats and equestrian photography evoking the gaucho spirit. Guests are welcomed by a wrap-around porch with ample outdoor seating and a spacious lobby anchored by the original marble fireplace and terrazzo flooring featuring a confetti of colorful marble, quartz, granite, and glass leading to the lobby bar which beckons guests to sip from a well-crafted, classic cocktail menu. Serving as the hotel’s social hub, the lobby features both restaurant seating and communal lounge seating fostering both a sense of community and intimacy, in addition to a rotating gallery exhibit of emerging talent from local art schools. Steeped in signature mid-century modern style, the lobby is defined by clean lines, organic forms, rattan furniture with plush seating and pops of tropical prints sure to elicit vacation vibes all year round. Connecting The Balfour Hotel’s two buildings is an open courtyard offering an al fresco space for guests to lounge and socialize under the palm trees in the Miami sunshine. An elevated, plunge pool with an underwater window provides the perfect Instagram shot of swimmers behind the glass wall. Terracotta mosaic tiles, chaise lounges and ratan lounge seating invite guests to sunbathe and enjoy the seasonal rotations of refreshers including frozen grapes and fruit smoothies. "Our vision for The Balfour Hotel was to create a relaxing oasis and hidden gem among the buzzing energy synonymous with Miami Beach," explains James Moore, general manager of The Balfour Hotel. "Our impeccably renovated, classic Art Deco property just steps from the beach is ideally situated near South Beach’s world-famous attractions but quietly nestled in the affluent South of Fifth neighborhood, an enclave that offers guests a serene vibe of relaxation and comfortable luxury.” The hotel features 55 standard King rooms, 10 double queen rooms, 16 superior King rooms, and 3 suites, including newly renovated bathrooms, and updated furnishings. Each guest room features walnut furniture, including fluted armoire closets and wooden desks. Each room includes Italian coffee brand Lavazza single-serve pods for Americanos and espressos as well as teas, plush bathrobes, slippers, a clothes steamer, hair dryer, and PURE brand bath amenities. There is complimentary WiFi access for guests throughout the property. On the Top floor, guests can watch the sunset from the hotel’s East and West Sundecks with a total of 1,479 sq. ft. combined. Ideal for group events and small gatherings, the sun deck offers lounge seating with 360-degree views of Miami Beach including the nearby Atlantic Ocean. The restaurant is open from 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. daily for breakfast. The lobby bar is open from 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m from Sunday - Thursday, and 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant provides service to the pool, rooftop and beach; the hotel provides two beach chairs to all guests in partnership with Esteban Beach Management, known for exceptional oceanfront service for over 15 years. The Balfour Hotel is now accepting reservations with rates starting at $209.00. Opening offers include the Ocean Sandy Paws and Stay 3 and save 20% off best available rates. Visit thebalfourmiamibeach.com for more information. By ML Staff. Images by The Balfour Hotel

To commemorate OMEGA’s long standing partnership with the Olympic Games, the Miami Design District boutique has been transformed into a special venue, celebrating the spirit of the iconic sporting event. OMEGA has been the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932, and will serve in the role for the 29th time when the competition begins on July 23rd in Japan. Visitors to the boutique in Miami will now have unique access to the occasion through a litany of pop ups and displays. The boutique provides an experiential view of “A Journey Through Time” – an exhibit showcasing OMEGA’s history of timekeeping excellence and relentless pursuit of innovative technology. Upon entering the boutique, visitors are greeted with an abstract display of an original OMEGA starting block before being treated to an underwater view of a swimming race in progress, with sounds from the pool creating a sensory event in the boutique’s elevator. The second floor of the boutique features an immersive experience for visitors to learn about OMEGA’s role as Official Timekeeper, through an array of unique installations that tell the story of their 89 year long history of timekeeping. One such installation is the Vintage Timepiece Exhibition, which includes one of the first starting pistols used by OMEGA. There are also a few eye-catching moments for customers beyond the boutique too. These athlete-inspired surprises will be seen throughout the district, as OMEGA highlights its passion for sport in a truly fun way. The activation will run through until August 29th, giving visitors front row access to this exciting moment in Olympic Games history. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of OMEGA

Miami has always been a city proud of its rich history and diversity while simultaneously embracing innovation to propel the city forward. And this year, history, culture, and the future collide in an exciting celebration of the Magic City’s founding 125 years ago on July 28, 1896. The City of Miami will toast the city’s 125th anniversary with Miami 125, a weeklong festival of food, fun, culture, and innovation. The celebration runs from July 26-31 and features various free and ticketed events that the public is invited to attend. According to Miami’s mayor Francis Suarez, the city’s 125th anniversary provides a tremendous opportunity to honor the city's historic trailblazers while embracing today's social and entrepreneurial innovators who are positioning Miami as a world-class city now and in the future. “I invite all residents of Miami to join me in celebrating Miami’s rich history and cultural diversity as we celebrate the city’s founding 125 years ago,” said Mayor Suarez. “Miami 125 will provide many exciting and fun opportunities for residents to celebrate the Magic City by exploring our history, diversity, cultural venues, parks, and more. This milestone also gives us a time to revisit the past as we look to shape the next hundred years and beyond of Miami’s enduring story.” Featured events in the six-day celebration include: July 26, Miami Innovation Luncheon at the Rusty Pelican July 27, NFT Workshop and local Artist Highlight at the Bakehouse Art Complex July 28, City of Miami 125thAnniversary Celebration at the Perez Art Museum July 30, Little Havana Fridays at Domino Park Plaza July 31, Miami Day at various city locations to include Grove Heritage Day at Coconut Grove’s Village Center and Village West In keeping with the theme of honoring Miami's history while embracing the future, the City of Miami is also recognizing city residents who have had a significant impact on Miami's history and progress. Honorees are: Dr. Enid Curtis Pinkney, notable preservationist, community leader, and humanitarian Arva Moore Parks McCabe, Miami historian, author, and preservationist Dr. Paul S. George, Miami’s lauded resident historian and prolific author and scholar Dr. Dorothy Fields, who has been instrumental in documenting Miami’s African American history through manuscripts and photography. Dr. Marvin Dunn, author, educator, and historian. Larry Gautier, Co-chair, “When Mayor Suarez asked me to co-chair with him representing the founding families of Miami. I jumped at the opportunity. For this celebration, we want to do two things. We want to make sure we honor the past. We also want to embrace the future. We want to make sure the past is connected with the future. We want to do our part to connect the dots, to honor the past while embracing the future.” Sponsorships are also available for the event and can be made through the Dade Heritage Trust, which is serving as the fiscal agent for Miami 125. Contributions can be made online on the Dade Heritage Trust’s website or contact Larry Gautier, Co-Chair City of Miami 125th Anniversary Committee at lgautier@naimiami.com. About Miami 125 Miami 125 is a weeklong celebration of Miami’s 125th anniversary. The event is spearheaded by the City of Miami 125th Anniversary Celebration Committee. It features an exciting schedule of historical, cultural, culinary, and music events celebrating the city's diverse and rich history while embracing Miami's future. To learn more about Miami 125, visit https://mia125.org/. For more information about Miami 125 or for media inquiries, please contact, KeChi Okpala at KeChi@thinkclarke.com or by phone at 954-342-9040. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Miami 125

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) announces the honorees of its 2021 Art+Film Gala. On Saturday, November 6, LACMA will honor Amy Sherald, Kehinde Wiley, and Steven Spielberg. LACMA trustee Eva Chow and actor Leonardo DiCaprio have championed the museum’s film initiatives since 2011, and they continue their efforts as the 2021 Art+Film Gala Co-Chairs. On the occasion of its 100th Anniversary, Gucci continues its invaluable partnership with the museum as the presenting sponsor of the annual event. For the third year, additional support for the gala is provided by Audi. From November 7, 2021 through January 2, 2022, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama by Amy Sherald and Barack Obama by Kehinde Wiley will be on view at LACMA in the West Coast presentation of The Obama Portraits Tour, organized by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Black American Portraits, a complementary exhibition examining two centuries of Black portraiture drawn from LACMA’s permanent collection, will be on view November 7, 2021 - April 17, 2022. “Art and film are both irreplaceable experiences through which we can better understand ourselves and others, and we are excited to once again bring the worlds of art and film together at this event,” said LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director Michael Govan. “It is a great privilege for LACMA to honor Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley as we welcome the public to the Los Angeles presentation of The Obama Portraits, along with Steven Spielberg, whose masterpieces of cinema continue to shape our culture.” “The Art+Film Gala has been at the center of strengthening the dialogue between art and film in Los Angeles. For our 10th anniversary, we are thrilled to recognize the achievements of artists Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley, and filmmaker Steven Spielberg, three brilliant individuals who tell powerful stories through their work,” said Gala Co-Chair Eva Chow. “I am incredibly grateful to Gucci, our longtime partner, for supporting the Art+Film Gala for 10 years and expanding their generosity to support the LACMA presentation of The Obama Portraits and the accompanying exhibition Black American Portraits.” Proceeds from the annual Art+Film Gala go toward underwriting LACMA’s initiative to make film more central to the museum’s curatorial programming, while also funding LACMA’s broader mission. This includes exhibitions, acquisitions, and educational programming that explore the intersection of art and film. 2021 Art+Film Honorees ABOUT AMY SHERALD Amy Sherald (b. 1973, Columbus) documents contemporary African American experience in the United States through arresting, otherworldly figurative paintings. She reengages with the history of photography and portraiture to invite viewers to participate in a more complex debate about accepted notions of race and representation, and to situate Black heritage centrally in American art. Sherald is based in the greater New York (City) area. Sherald received her MFA in painting from Maryland Institute College of Art and BA in painting from Clark-Atlanta University. In 2016, Sherald was the first woman and first African American to ever receive the grand prize in the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition from the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C.; she also received the 2017 Anonymous Was A Woman award; and the 2019 Smithsonian Ingenuity Award; and she received an honorary doctorate from Maryland Institute College of Art in 2021. Sherald’s work is held in public collections such as the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR; the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, CA; the Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD; Embassy of the United States, Dakar, Senegal; Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, DC; Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC; and Nasher Museum of Art, Durham, NC. ABOUT KEHINDE WILEY Kehinde Wiley (b. 1977, Los Angeles) is an American artist best known for his portraits that render people of color in the traditional settings of Old Master paintings. Wiley’s work brings art history face-to-face with contemporary culture, using the visual rhetoric of the heroic, the powerful, the majestic, and the sublime to celebrate Black and brown people the artist has met throughout the world. Working in the mediums of painting, sculpture, and video, Wiley’s portraits challenge and reorient art-historical narratives, awakening complex issues that many would prefer remain muted. In 2018 Wiley became the first African-American artist to paint an official U.S. Presidential portrait for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Former U.S. President Barack Obama selected Wiley for this honor. In 2019 Wiley founded Black Rock Senegal, a multidisciplinary artist-in-residence program that invites artists from around the world to live and create work in Dakar, Senegal. Wiley is the recipient of the U.S. Department of State’s Medal of Arts, Harvard University’s W.E.B. Du Bois Medal, and France’s distinction of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. He holds a BFA from San Francisco Art Institute, an MFA from Yale University, and honorary doctorates from the Rhode Island School of Design and San Francisco Art Institute. He has held solo exhibitions throughout the United States and internationally and his works are included in the collections of over 50 public institutions around the world. He lives and works in Beijing, Dakar, and New York. ABOUT STEVEN SPIELBERG Steven Spielberg is one of the world's most successful and influential filmmakers, and is currently chairman of Amblin Partners, a corporate descendent of DreamWorks, SKG, which he co-founded in 1994. Among a host of career accolades, he is a three-time Academy Award winner, a Kennedy Center Honoree, a recipient of the Irving G. Thalberg Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 from President Barack Obama. Spielberg has devoted much of his time and resources to many philanthropic causes. He formed The Righteous Persons Foundation by using all his profits from the release of Schindler’s List, and soon thereafter founded the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation, which in 2006 became the USC Shoah Foundation – The Institute for Visual History and Education. The Institute has recorded more than 55,000 video testimonies with survivors and other witnesses of the Holocaust and other genocides, and is dedicated to making the testimonies a compelling voice for education and action. In 2021, Spielberg and Kate Capshaw formally launched The Hearthland Foundation, a philanthropic fund to help build a more just, equitable, and connected America. Inspired by the words of the poet Langston Hughes, “O, let America be America again—The land that never has been yet—And yet must be,” Hearthland is founded on the belief that creating a better shared future for our country calls for relationships that cross divides and the moral imagination for what is possible. To that end, the foundation has three overlapping areas of focus: building a shared democracy; telling an honest and generative narrative about this country; and fostering a culture of accompaniment. About LACMA Productions LACMA Productions is an award-winning extension of the museum’s film initiative. Over the last 10 years, along with the establishment of the Art+Film initiative, LACMA has dedicated resources to producing short documentary films on artists including John Baldessari, Ed Ruscha, David Hockney, Barbara Kruger, James Turrell, Robert Irwin, Mark Bradford, Catherine Opie, and Betye Saar. By producing as well as commissioning work from emerging and mid-career filmmakers, the museum has created a series of short documentaries that have earned official selections at some of the leading international film festivals including the Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, DOC NYC, Los Angeles Film Festival, Sheffield Doc/Fest, Full Frame, and AFI DOCS. Past filmmakers include Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, Lance Accord, Doug Pray, Lucy Walker, Jessica Yu, Pippa Bianco, Lisanne Skyler, Dime Davis, and Sini Anderson. For the 2021 Art+Film Gala, Christine Turner, filmmaker of Betye Saar: Taking Care of Business (2019), returns to make a short film about Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald. For more information about the 2021 Art+Film Gala tickets and table sales, contact artandfilm@lacma.org or 323 857-4770. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of LACMA